A Working Relationship

A Working Relationship


Epilogue.


The funeral was vast. The ceremony for the fallen Order members was held at Hogwarts and anyone who considered themselves to be anyone was there.

Although the exact cause of Dumbledore’s death never was identified by the experts at St Mungo’s he had still merited the honour of a state funeral for the life of service he had given to the wizarding world and was laid to rest alongside his four former pupils.

Minerva had taken one look at the Ministry proposals for the event and exploded in horror. However, as newly confirmed Headmistress, she had a measure of control over events taking place on the grounds. She promptly delegated control to her newly appointed deputy, Severus Snape.

Severus had managed to intimidate enough busybodying officials to shape the affair into something dignified and tasteful and he had taken great pains to ensure that families, close friends and Order members were given preference over the politicians and members of society.

The outdoor ceremony was Hermione’s first public outing, since turning up in his room five nights earlier. In fact it was her first outing of any kind since then, as she had taken all her meals in his rooms, unwilling to face up to the scrutiny of her schoolmates and unwilling to risk another confrontation with her father.

Only Minerva and the House-elves were able to enter his quarters and so Hermione had remained there in seclusion. Severus had seen the Grangers at a distance, but neither of them had made any attempt to speak to him. He left the matter alone and wondered how this business would play out. He went about his business as efficiently as possible and spent as much time with her as he could.

She was physically recovered from the snakebites, but the emotional scars would take much longer to heal. Now she was no longer taking medication she was tormented in her sleep by vivid nightmares. She and Severus had had a long discussion about the matter and they had worked out an arrangement by which she would use the blanket or a Dreamless Sleep potion to give her some sleep every other night. On the alternate nights she would brave the nightmares in order to allow her brain to process her emotions in her sleep.

Every time she woke up Severus was there to hold her and comfort her, caress her even, until she fell back to sleep.

They had not yet become lovers in the fullest sense of the word. They were intimate, yes. They slept naked in his bed and they kissed and touched each other, on one occasion to the point of release. She was responsive and even a little assertive, but something held him back from suggesting intercourse.

That something was fear.

Fear that the act would bring back the memory of what had happened in that cellar; fear that she would decide that this could never work; fear she might wake up to the fact she would be better going off to live her own life without him; fear that now her emotions were no longer bound by prophecy, her love would wither.

He couldn’t bear that…. Not now he loved her in return. This revelation had come to him the day after she had moved in. The day he had received his new appointment, but could think of nothing other than returning to her. Every time he saw her now, the realisation hit him anew. It would be just his luck to lose her now, after he had thought his heart so well guarded for so long.

She stood at his side in the front line of the mourners, between himself and Minerva. All speechifying had been done by Order members to the great frustration of the gathered politicians, penned in some distance over to the left. He himself had said a few words about Albus, while Minerva had spoken about Harry. Arthur had strengthened himself to pay a moving tribute to his sons and Remus had spoken about Neville, at the behest of old Mrs Longbottom who stood tall and unbowed, but silent at her grandson’s graveside. In fact her demeanour was much like Hermione’s, who stood solemn and unflinching.

As the bodies were lowered into the ground, the light drizzle turned to heavy rain and the party set off back to the castle, somewhat hurriedly because of the conditions. Snape allowed Hermione to set their pace. She seemed impervious to the wet and they were overtaken by many.

“Well if it isn’t the lovers!” said a sickeningly familiar voice behind them. They stopped and turned to see Rita Skeeter, quill at the ready.

“I made it quite clear Madam, that there are to be no press interviews today. Today is a day for our dead and unless you can persuade one of the corpses to speak to you, your time will be wasted.”

“Life does go on Professor and people are always interested in good news. Have you two set a date?”

“I said ‘no interviews’!”

“Come on… Hermione… What about you? Love in the midst of battle… terribly romantic.”

“You are a stupid evil woman,” ground out Hermione, in tones of fury. Severus tensed and kept an eye on her wand arm. He couldn’t predict her reactions at the moment and the last thing they needed was an illegal hexing of a journalist. For a moment it looked as though Hermione might go for the grinning woman. However, after a few seconds she began to wilt visibly and he could see held back tears beginning to fall. He gathered her towards him and held her face to his chest as she began to sob.

“Trouble in paradise?” enquired Rita.

“My fiancée gave you the only quote you’re going to get out of us today… and I must say, it was apt. Kindly leave the premises. Hogwarts is private ground and I will have you removed if necessary… I warn you, I’ve access to an unlimited supply of bug repelling potions.”

Skeeter knew when she was beaten. She tucked away her quill and retreated in the direction of the Apparition point. Severus was watching her go when he realised that the Grangers were standing alongside them. The mother… Hermione’s mother was looking distraught at the sight of her daughter held in his arms. Mr Granger looked angry.

“Where have you been keeping her?” he said. At the sound of his voice Hermione made an effort to stand alone and stifle her sobs. Severus gave her freedom to move, but still held her.

“He hasn’t kept me anywhere. I stayed with him because I couldn’t stand to be without him.” She spoke without facing her father.

“And you can live without us? Is that it?”

Hermione sobbed again and Severus’ heart cracked at the sound.

“She’s an adult,” he said firmly. “It’s normal for her to find a partner of her own. What is not normal is for the parent to reject the child because she has done so. I may not be your choice but I am hers.”

“You’re her mistake! How can she think she loves you?”

“I think it because she tells me and shows me… and because I know the adult whilst you merely remember the child. Last week Hermione stood at my side in mortal combat. This week you treat her like a wayward infant by trying to determine whom she might associate with. I made a commitment to her and I will honour it as soon as she decides to call me on it. She is free to leave me if she wishes and free to stay.”

This time Hermione did turn to give her parents a view of her tearstained face.

“I love him Daddy. I don’t want to have to choose but I will choose him over you... if you make me.”

The Grangers looked stricken at that statement.

“I hope you will not force this issue. I am prepared to pledge that Hermione should be free to visit you whenever she wishes, but obviously I cannot compel you to receive her.”

“We’ll never have you in our home.”

Severus sensed that there might be room to compromise.

“I do not ask you to receive me. She may come alone and in the future she may bring her children to see you. I will stay in our home and distract myself in her absence.”

“Keen to get her pregnant then? What about her career?”

“It is a noted pattern that women often desire to have children after the resolution of a war. If she wishes to console herself for the loss of her companions in that way I am happy for her to do so. However, we have a longer lifespan than you. She may choose to have children before her career or during. I do not seek...nor will I ever seek to impose my will on her. A wizard seeking to do that would choose a less powerful witch to wed.”

“Is that why you want her… because she’s powerful?” asked Mr Granger, with real curiosity in his voice.

“In my view a marriage cannot be happy unless there is a balance between the partners. I could not respect a woman who was less than myself and I suspect Hermione would have the same difficulty. A very small percentage of wizardkind are as gifted as we are… It is logical therefore that we find ourselves inclined to overlook the other’s failings.”

“Do you love her?” asked Mrs Granger, suddenly.

Severus felt Hermione flinch in his arms and saw her drop her gaze to the floor. He tightened his grip on her and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head before replying.

“More than I thought possible. I will… cherish her for as long as she will permit me.”

“Well let’s just hope she comes to her senses quickly then. Until she does… she can come and stay with us at any time,” said Mr Granger abruptly.

Severus nodded in acknowledgement and released Hermione into her mother’s arms.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

They decided to forgo the wake. By the time they were back inside the castle they were both cold and wet. Never keen to socialise at the best of times, Severus was easily swayed by Hermione’s whispered suggestion that they warm up together in his bathtub in the dungeons.

Severus sat with his back against the side and his legs parted so she could sit between them. Her chin was just above the water level and his chin rested on her head. The overly hot water had reddened their skin and they were lulled into calm by the herbs it contained.

Hermione twisted slightly so she could look up at him. He looked down at her, their faces just inches apart.

“Thank-you for what you said to my Mum and Dad… about loving me… I think it swayed the balance… even if you didn’t mean it…”

“I meant it,” he said gruffly. “I more than meant it. I will not merely cherish you… I will worship you…I’m no prize Hermione. I’m ugly, bad tempered and I hold grudges like you wouldn’t believe. I’m demanding and exacting… insanely possessive and you should run a mile…”

She placed a wet finger against his lips. He stopped talking and kissed it.

“I’m not going anywhere… I’m staying right here with you and, after a decent length of engagement, more for everyone else’s benefit than ours, you could not be any more my husband than you already are in my heart, I will marry you… a life binding marriage if you want… no messing around with these modern agreements. If it’s not forever, what’s the point?”

“The certainty of youth.”

“I don’t feel young Severus… I think that’s gone for good. I’ve seen and done too much now. I saw … what I saw and….”

“I know my love… I know.”

His arms tightened around her and he lowered his mouth to her soft lips. The kiss was deep and passionate and long. When it finally ended he rested his cheek against hers.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“Then love me now… properly… completely… in your bed… Please… You know what I’m asking for.”

“I know. Are you certain?”

“I’m certain.”

“Then I shall oblige. Let the worship commence!”

His voice made her shiver, despite the heat of the water and she manoeuvred round to face him fully, taking in the heat of his black eyes and the unusual flush of his cheek. She straddled his knees and knelt up, bringing her face level with his and her breasts out of the water.

“So beautiful,” he said, in awe, “so very beautiful.” He reached out a hand and cupped her breast with it.

On impulse she reached out and touched his chest over his heart.

“Husband!” she said, her voice shaking.

“Wife… I shall bind you to my blood and you will never be free.”

She was light headed with the intensity of the moment and fell forward to press against him.

“Wife,” he whispered again, the word emerging of its own volition, spoken directly between her waiting lips.

By the time the kiss was finished and he carried her to bed the water had gone quite cold.

A//N

I added the epilogue due to popular demand on Ashwinder. I had intended Mr Granger’s opposition to be a mere side note to provoke Hermione to seek out Severus as soon as she was better. However, it seemed to bother people that they didn’t see him come round to accepting the relationship so I responded.

This story has been nominated in the ‘Courage’ category at http://magical-worlds.us/multifaceted/nominees.htm Voting opened today so please check out the nominees in all categories and register your vote.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and offered encouragement during the writing of this story.